Richie Oakford is hoping it will be a case of quality over quantity at Fannie Bay today.
Oakford has only two rides, but both are top-notch commodities from the astute Gary Clarke stable Bankers Lamp and Timely Exit.
It is a combination proving fruitful for both Clarke and 44-year-old jockey Oakford, who is enjoying his renaissance in the saddle some three years after making an unlikely return.
"I had a 16-year break from riding and was always wondering whether I should make a comeback," Oakford said. "My wife Linda encouraged me to have a go at it again and her support along the way has always been very important."
Oakford's second coming has yielded 43 winners, the most notable of which was the 2010 Darwin Guineas triumph on Mahaffey Road, who has been retired after his last-start flop earlier this month.
"He was a great horse to me," Oakford said. "We had high hopes for him, but sadly he wasn't the same horse as he was as a three-year-old."
Oakford acknowledged his winning association with Clarke, who will today try to seize the lead from Stephen Brown in the Bay trainers' premiership.
"Clarkey's excellent at picking the right horses for the right races," he said.
Oakford's pair of mounts appear to be strong evidence of that fact.
Bankers Lamp will start favourite when he resumes in the Sportingbet Special Conditions Handicap (1000m).
"Shiersy (Paul Shiers) usually rides him, but he's having a break so I've got the ride," Oakford said.
"I haven't ridden him in work, so I'm looking forward to getting on him race day and seeing how he goes."
Timely Exit is sure to have an array of admirers as he guns for a third straight success in the Hot 100 Rating 64 Handicap (1100m).
"I was suspended when he won last-start, but it is nice to get back on him," Oakford said. "It is a decent test for him in a big field.
"If you saw him at trackwork you wouldn't be too impressed, but he switches on come race day."
